Baalbeck Travel Guide

 MM212 Says:  A grand (restored) stairway leads up to the Propylaea, the impressive entrance to the Baalbek Acropolis and its Temple of Jupiter. The Propylaea is set between two towers and had a colonnaded portico within it, which was once covered with a wooden ceiling, probably made from... 

 MM212 Says:  A large paved Oval Forecourt preceded the Propylaea and the entrance to the Acropolis of Baalbek. This forecourt functioned as a gathering place before entering the temple's enclosure when important religious processions honouring the deity took place. For anyone who has... 

 zuyao Says:  Adjacent to the Temple of Jupiter is the Temple of Bacchus. Although it is known as the Small Temple, it is actually bigger that the Parthenon in Greece. There are marvellous carvings that still remains in pretty good condition. In fact the Temple of Bacchus is acclaimed to... 

 zuyao Says:  As you alight from your car to enter Baalbeck's Roman ruins, you'll be surrounded by street vendors offering you souvenirs, guide books, Lebanese costumes, antique coins etc. Indulge them if you will or else head straight to the entrance. The ticket costs US$10. Keep it with... 

 MM212 Says:  One of the astonishing facts about the Temple of Jupiter is that it sits on top of the largest building stones ever used in our history. Not seen from within the temple, but supposedly visible from outside beneath the walls, are three massive blocks named by archaeologists... 

 MM212 Says:  Despite being a majority Shiite town, Baalbek does have a Christian presence. There are a couple of noticeable churches (and a convent?), at least one of which is dedicated to Saint Barbara, the patron saint of Baalbek. Attached is a photo of one church I encountered in... 

 MM212 Says:  Beyond the impressive archaeological ruins and few historic buildings, Baalbek seems to have little to offer the visitor (One exception is the Baalbek International Festival, which takes place in the summer). A number of beautiful late Ottoman buildings, such as those in the... 

 MM212 Says:  The remains of yet another colonnaded road can be found in the archaeological area just outside the Acropolis. This one is a corner and represents the intersection of two roads; the straight road that cuts through modern Baalbek and the continuation of the colonnade found... 

 MM212 Says:  A well preserved section of a double colonnade of Corinthian columns, dating from Roman times, lies to the south of the Acropolis of Baalbek. The beautiful colonnade is visible from the car park by the ruins, as well as from the southern end of the Acropolis. Likely, it was... 

 MM212 Says:  At the entrance of the site, you will find a poster showing a drawing of what the Acropolis of Baalbek might have looked like in its glory days. It was sketched by German archaeologists who first visited Baalbek at the end of the 19th century. The drawing gives an excellent... 

 MM212 Says:  A sketch of the Temple of Venus, as it might have been in 250 AD, can be found just outside the archaeological area. It was drawn by German archaeologists in the 19th century and gives a good perspective - see attached photo. 

 MM212 Says:  Just outside the Acropolis of Baalbek is a separate archaeological area. In the back of it rises the small, yet beautiful, Temple of Venus. Completed in the 3rd century AD, this interesting temple was constructed on a pentagonal podium and decorated with sea shells and... 

 MM212 Says:  Baalbek is about 1hr45m from Beirut, along a road that traverses the Lebanon Mountains and the breathtakingly scenic Beqaa Valley. Frequent buses are available from Beirut, but if one could afford a private car (with a driver) then it is a luxury worth the splurge. A day... 

 LoriPori Says:  Located in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon BAALBECK is famous for its temple ruins of the Roman period when Baalbeck or BAALBEK was known as Heliopolis "the city of the sun". It is Lebanon's greatest Roman Treasure, containing some of the largest and best preserved Roman ruins.... 

 LoriPori Says:  Dedicated to Bacchus, the Roman God of wine, THE TEMPLE OF BACCHUS is also referred to as the "Temple of the Sun".Considered as one of the best preserved Roman Temples in the world. Its walls are adorned by 42 Corinthian Columns, 19 of which remain upright.Though less...